Changes

==Background==

==Background==

Bellmon was born in Tonkawa in Kay County in northern Oklahoma, and graduated in 1938 from Billings (Oklahoma) High School. In 1942, he received a bachelor's degree in agriculture from what is now [[Oklahoma State University]]) in Stillwater. From 1942 to 1946, he was a [[lieutenant]] in the [[United States Marine Corps] and led a tank platoon in the Pacific theater of operations in [[World War II]].  He fought in the [[Battle of Iwo Jima]].<ref name=ency>{{cite encyclopedia |author=Carolyn G. Hanneman publisher=Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture |title=Bellmon, Henry Louis (1921- 2009)}}<ref>

Bellmon was born in Tonkawa in Kay County in northern Oklahoma, and graduated in 1938 from Billings (Oklahoma) High School. In 1942, he received a bachelor's degree in agriculture from what is now [[Oklahoma State University]]) in Stillwater. From 1942 to 1946, he was a [[lieutenant]] in the [[United States Marine Corps] and led a tank platoon in the Pacific theater of operations in [[World War II]].  He fought in the [[Battle of Iwo Jima]].<ref name=ency>Carolyn G. Hanneman, "Bellmon, Henry Louis (1921-2009), ''The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture.''<ref>

For his service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and a Silver Star.<ref name=bellmonobit>Barbara Hoberock , "Former governor Henry Bellmon die," '''The Tulsa World,'' September 29, 2009.}}</ref> After the war he returned to [[farming]] before entering politics.

For his service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and a Silver Star.<ref name=bellmonobit>Barbara Hoberock, "Former governor Henry Bellmon die," ''The Tulsa World,'' September 29, 2009.</ref> After the war he returned to [[farming]] before entering politics.

==Political life==

==Political life==